Mikis Theodorakis

Antigone AST 298

Mikis Theodorakis' libretto for Antigonae is based on Sophocles' tragedy of the same name, but also incorporates sections of 'Seven against Thebes' by Aeschylus and 'The Phoenicians' by Euripides. The work focuses on the conflict of two utterly different characters: the personification of earthly power (Eteocles) on the one hand and of religious duty on the other hand (Polyneices/Antigone). 'In the political dimensions of the drama which provide a particular inspiration for Theodorakis, the composer recognises the eternal element of the myth and above all a relationship to modern Greek history.' (Ilias Giannopoulos)